"Wings of Liberation"

Akira's Introduction-Chapter 1

In this world, every individual is born with a unique power, categorized into five distinct classes within the combat system: Gladiator, a master swordsman; Mender, a skilled healer; Calibre, an adept wielder of specialized abilities; Clutch, an elite hand-to-hand fighter; and Golem, a towering giant known for immense strength and durability. Numerous clans exist, each with its own hierarchy of ranks and influence within the world. The world is an uncharted realm, filled with countless mysteries yet to be uncovered and secrets never before witnessed.

Akira's Flashback Scene

Akira's mind was swirling with images, his heart racing as the memories flashed before his eyes—shadowy figures, distant voices, and his own breath coming in shallow gasps. Suddenly, he screamed and shot up in his bed, drenched in sweat.

Panting heavily, he laid back down, staring blankly at the ceiling. Dread washed over him. Monotony wrapped around his body like a suffocating blanket. Turning his head to the right, he gazed out of the window, catching sight of his older brother Jin outside. Jin was a picture of discipline—his body glistening with sweat as he hoisted a massive log above his head, pushing his limits with intense exercises. Jin's mastery over his physical abilities was obvious, each motion executed with precision.

Akira sighed, clenching his fist. "If I stay like this... I'll never catch up to him," he muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, Isuki and Minami, his two younger siblings, burst into his room, shouting, "Boo!" Startled, Akira jumped, but as their giggles filled the room, he found himself laughing along.

"That didn't scare me," he said with a smile, half trying to convince himself. They didn't care—they were already in stitches.

From downstairs, their mother's voice echoed through the house. "Akira! Get ready for school!"

"Yes, mom," he sighed, the weight of routine dragging him down again.

He got up, brushed his teeth, and dressed himself with mechanical motions. As he was about to leave, he spotted Jin returning from his morning training, tired but focused. Jin glanced at Akira, giving him a reassuring smile. "Have a good day at school," Jin said, his voice full of encouragement, though he was still catching his breath.

"Yeah... thanks," Akira mumbled, unable to hide the hint of sadness in his voice. Why can't I be like him?

He left the house and walked through the city streets, his thoughts spiraling. His head began to throb—a sharp, stabbing pain—just like it always did. He stopped in his tracks, clutching his temple.

"Why does this keep happening?" he groaned, as the pain subsided once again.

As he approached the school gates, a sharp impact hit him square in the back. A rock.

"Oops, that was an accident, weak village boy!" a member of a gang sneered as they strolled by, laughing with their group. Akira clenched his fists but kept walking.

Inside the school, things didn't get any better. He was constantly tripped in the hallways, shouldered out of the way by other students, and when he accidentally brushed against the school's most popular kid, things escalated.

The boy grabbed Akira by the collar, his face twisted in a sneer. "Watch where you're going, loser!" He threw a punch that landed hard on Akira's face, sending him staggering back.

But Akira stood up again, wiping the blood from his lip. He didn't fight back, but the sheer act of standing enraged his tormentors even more. They smirked as they walked away, leaving him in a corridor filled with laughter and sneering faces. It seemed like everyone had something nasty to say about him. Village boy. Pathetic. Loser.

The bell rang. Akira dragged himself to class, sinking into his usual seat in the corner. The moment he sat down, a paper plane landed on his desk.

"Pay attention, village boy!" someone whispered from across the room, followed by a ripple of laughter.

Akira stared blankly at the plane, ignoring the stares and whispers.

The classroom door slid open, and the teacher walked in, followed by a new student.

"Everyone, this is Shizuka, a new transfer student. Please make her feel welcome," the teacher said with a smile, scanning the room for a seat. Her gaze fell on the empty spot next to Akira. "Shizuka, you can sit next to Akira."

The room instantly buzzed with whispers. "I feel bad for her," someone muttered. "Sitting with the village boy? If that were me, I'd rather die," another said under their breath, loud enough for Akira to hear.

Shizuka approached and took her seat next to him. She glanced at him briefly, her expression neutral.

After a moment, she spoke. "What's your name?"

Akira hesitated. He wasn't used to people talking to him, especially not kindly. "Uh... My name's Akira," he replied quietly.

"I'm Shizuka. Nice to meet you," she said, her voice calm. "I'm from a village nearby."

Akira's eyes widened a little. "Really? I'm from there too... nice to meet you," he replied, a bit unsure of her intentions.

She noticed the book on his desk. "What are you reading?" she asked, pointing to the worn, leather-bound book that lay between them.

Akira glanced at it, his expression darkening slightly. "It's about the mysteries of the universe... the dark secrets. It was my father's. He disappeared a long time ago, and all he left behind was this book and a broken necklace. We never found out what happened to him."

There was a pause. Shizuka's face softened. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Akira looked at her, confused. "Why are you even talking to me? Everyone else avoids me."

Shizuka met his gaze steadily. "Is there a problem with that?"

"I mean..." Akira faltered. "People here hate me. They all think I'm weak. You're the only one who doesn't. Why?"

Before Shizuka could respond, the deafening sound of sirens filled the air. The classroom lights flickered as the alarms blared through the school. Everyone froze in place, confusion and panic spreading like wildfire.